Faith & Hay...

Often times it seems like we are hit with unexpected situations & life doesn't turn out the way we think it should.  Maybe you have asked yourself today, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" Or possibly, "Why won't Satan just leave me alone?" I've felt at times like nothing is going right or that God has just left me here to suffer...

 Well I believe we are all guilty of these negative thoughts at some point in our lives, and really it's not a bad thing :)  I thought for a while myself about these very questions. I came up with this; it’s in the midst of your trials, that you "Find your Faith." I think of this as it relates to "Finding the Needle in the Haystack." Sometimes there are thousands of things that are trying to bring us down, to doubt, or even to fear. It truly is at these moments that we have to work through these hard times and search for our faith. There is a scripture that reiterates what I'm trying to say, it's found in Ether 12:6-

"And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith."

As you work through the "Hay", you'll find that there will be comfort sent to you. Like the scripture in Doctrine & Covenants 84:88 says, "I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up."

So the next time that you are down and out, look at your trials from a different point of view. Look at it as if God feels you’re ready to grow once more, and gain greater experience. These trials help us to refine who we are, and bring us closer to our Father in Heaven. This is because we see that as we have gone through this "Hay" our God has been with us the whole time, "for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." This reminds me of the Footprints in the Sand Poem...

The next time you have thoughts of anguish just remember He is with you.

Like Doctrine & Covenants 103:12 says:

  "For after much tribulation… cometh the blessing."

I know that if we look at our trials as a chance to grow closer to God that we will be able to learn much more from them. I know that He is with us through those difficult times in our lives. We just have to press forward with the sure knowledge that "all things will work together for our good." It's in the hardest of times that we must "Find our Faith" and really learn to rely on our Heavenly Father the most! It's my prayer for each of us! :)

Blessed...

To start off, the most important thing I can say is this... I have the greatest friends in the world. The last few days I've realized how important it is to be close to people who have strong faith in The Gospel. I've learned life lessons through their testimonies and have found a greater love for my Savior by their doings. The quote, "People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care" really rings true for me this week. I have so much to say, and really don't know how to say everything at this time. I guess I can do this, and bear you my testimony. I don't know that I've yet done this on my blog, but here it is-

I have testimony of this Restored Gospel. I have the strongest love for my Savior, Jesus Christ, and for all that He has done for me. The perfect example He has set for me is something that I reflect on time and time again. I know that the only real way to find happiness in life is to follow Him and to strive to become as He is. I know and understand that it's our choice to do so, all He can do is simple invite. I have a testimony of the Atonement. It's not until you're at the lowest points in your life that you begin to understand the great love that the Lord has for you. I would not be able to go throughout my day without the knowledge and understanding of Chirst's sacrifice. It brings me comfort to know that He suffered all things that I go through. He lives and He knows and loves all of us individually. I'm forever thankful.

I have a testimony of Eternal Families. I love my family so much. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of them and what they have done for me. My testimony was first planted by my wonderful parents, who love the Lord and have devoted their lives to the Gospel. It's because of them and the things that they taught me in my youth, that I have had the opportunity to become the man I am today. I love them so much, and I'm so grateful to be able to live with them forever. The blessing of my family is something that will never end. The rest of my family is much the same as my parents, they are wonderful people who strive to live more like our Savior. I know that because of the sealing power of the Priesthood we can all live together in the eternities.

I too have a testimony of friends, Good and Bad. I know that as we surround ourselves with people who strive to live the Gospel, we can find in our own testimonies growth. The things that I've learned from my friends' examples and knowledge has been life changing in my life and will never be forgotten. I have some of the greatest friends. I've been blessed. I know that those people we surround ourselves with, are who we become like. It's happened to me in both scenarios, good and bad.

I have a testimony of the power of The Book of Mormon, the reality of The Restoration, and  magnificent calling of The Prophet, Joseph Smith. I know that The Book of Mormon is scripture, and that it can change your life, like mine, if you but let it. The power and goodness of this book is something that I have recently been touched by, and that has changed my life forever. I know that its true, and will forever defend my love for it. I am grateful for the Restoration of the Gospel and Joseph Smith's hand in so doing. I know that many scriptures were fulfilled because of his heroic courage. I know that because of him we are able to again be blessed by the fullness of The Gospel in which Jesus Christ taught.

I'm truly grateful for the time I have had to be a missionary. I love this Gospel so much and I would give anything to help someone receive these things that I hold so dear to my heart. I would be so selfish if I didn't share the things that I've been taught in my life. I'm forever grateful for my "Missionaries" (Mom & Dad, Family, and Friends) who taught me about the Gospel by their examples and through their testimonies.  I know that these things that I have written are in fact true. I hope that in someway your testimony of the Lord, Jesus Christ has been strengthened upon reading these words. I love him greatly, and I thank our Heavenly Father each day for the blessing of this Gospel.

One Year...

So yesterday was official one year mark.. In many ways this was both a day of rejoicing and sadness. In one way it was great to look back and to feel like I've accomplished something in a year, but in another way It means my time as a missionary is going by way to fast. I have to say that in a year's time I've grown more spiritually, mentally, and emotionally then I have ever in my life. I feel like a totally different person. I've figured out the things that really matter most to me in my life. Another missionary did a post about her halfway point and I loved it, so I'll use her idea to fully express myself.

-1 year of many hard goodbyes and many wonderful hellos
-1 year of excitement, nerves, faith, love and determination
-1 year of searing Tennessee summers, and freezing winters
-1 year of waking up at 6:30 and getting in at 9:00
-1 year of relying completely on God
-1 year of much scripture study and prayer
-1 year of leaving old friends and making new ones
-1 year of listening to Mormon Tabernacle Choir
-1 year of ironing a shirt every morning
-1 year of finding myself by losing myself in this work

-1 year of teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ
-1 year of crazy southern food :)
-1 year of letter from family and friends... (SOMETIMES)
- 1 year of tears of both joy and sorrow
- 1 year of missing holiday traditions
- 1 year of being apart of the greatest work in the world!! :)